The formation of natural hybrids
between related species of Paphiopedilum Sect.
Paphiopedilum particularly from
socalled Paphiopedilum insigne
complex in Vietnam is not too rare (AVERyANOV et al., 2003). At least fi ve
taxa originated from eastern Indochina are recognized presently as natural hybrids
in limits of Paphiopedilum Subgenus Paphiopedilum. Among them such plants
well known in ornamental horticulture as Paphiopedilum
× affine De WILD., Paphiopedilum ×
aspersum AVER., Paphiopedilum ×
cribbii AVER., Paph. × dalatense AVER. and the very often also seen as
distinct species Paphiopedilum × herrmannii
FUCHS et REISINGER1) (AVERyANOV, 2001, 2006; SENNIKOV, 2002; AVERyANOV et
al., 2003). One more natural hybrid collected in nature and undoubtedly
originated from crossing of Paphiopedilum
villosum (var. annamense) and Paphiopedilum gratrixianum (var. gratrixianum) has occasionally been
observed in private collections of Dalat City since 2003. Beside well
recognizable appearance and bright individuality, it was not ever formally described
as a true natural hybrid. We are here fi lling this taxonomic omission.

Notes: Described natural hybrid well shares morphological features
of parental species. It has somewhat compact habit with rather broad, suberect
or almost horizontally spreading leaves, short peduncle and petals distinctly
yellowish along lower portion rather typical for Paphiopedilum villosum (LINDL.) STEIN var. annamense ROLFE and heavily spotted median sepal with light
brownish or greenish center, as well as short indumentum and heavy violet
spotting of leaf base observed in Paphiopedilum
gratrixianum (MAST.) ROLFE var. gratrixianum.
Newly described hybrid was commonly observed as epiphytic plant in evergreen
broad-leaved mountain forests. It was said that in most humid conditions of
highlands it also grows occasionally as lithophytic or even terrestrial plant.
It is noticeable that the new hybrid was discovered in the area of Central Highlands
along tops of Truong Son Range (Annamese Range) where both parental species meet
physically in similar habitats. At the same time Paphiopedilum villosum is much more common in very humid habitats of
eastern Truong Son slopes, while Paph. gratrixianum
prefers more dry conditions of western slopes partially coming to Laos and
Cambodia.

The artificial hybrid of both
species was registered 1995 as Paphiopedilum Trixivil by Dr. Doug PuLLEy,
California.